Books Films Bands: our first app is here!

Today I’m very proud to announce the official launch of our first app to the world!
The app is called Books Films Bands. It’s a dead simple tool to help you keep track of – you guessed it – books, films, and bands (duh..).

Go and download it for free here and let us know what you think: https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/books-films-bands/id520395424

Check how BFB works in this video:

Wait but why are you launching an app? don’t you do videos exclusively?
Besides the obvious reason (we are nuts), this year we wanted to do something different in addition to producing awesome grumo videos for the startups of the world. So we decided to develop our first iPhone app and learn what it’s like to be one of the startups we help promote with our demo videos. And because you only live once (YOLO YOLO!) and if our app does very well we will feel very important and get invited to some party (any party is good as long as you have free cookies and karoke, thanks).

Does the world need this app?
Honestly? probably not. But we are completely delusional and are convinced many millions, if not billions of people will love our app soon! (Watch out Google-Facebook-Yahoo-Microsoft-Walmart-Tesla-JustinBeiber, BFB is coming to get you.. woahahaha!)
Yes, and we use it every day (ok, every other day).

Forget about the world. Why would “I” use this app?
To feel superior to other lowly earthlings, of course.
Here is where BFB can come in very handy. Next time a friend tells you about a movie, book, or band they really liked, just pull out (arrogantly) your iPhone and add it to BFB so you don’t forget to check it out. (Then stick out your tongue to your friend and say – “In your face!”)

What kind of rigorous scientific research have you done to determine you and I need this app?
Scientific research? bahh.. that’s so old fashion and boring.
How about completely unfounded-gut-feeling-imaginary-research? Now we’re talking.
Remember, we are creative people so thinking rationally is completely out of the question! – Left brain.. booh! right brain.. Yippee ki-yay!
We found out that people (me, Dan, and my llama) keep lists of things to check out all over the place; napkins, spread sheets, word documents, notes, written on their hand, or in their fickle memories.

Well, isn’t that utterly moronic? – Wonderful art that can enlighten our minds and make us more interesting deserves a nice and comfortable home to live in, not a shack under a bridge. (I just turned poet)

BFB is the perfect home where your books, films, and bands can happily live together in harmony.

Big deal, so what if I forget to watch a movie or read a book?
You see, the right book can change your life forever, inspire you, help you become a better person. The same goes for a film (like this one). Discovering a new band can broaden your musical taste and give you something to look forward to listen to and share with your friends.

But the good that comes from consuming refined art can only come if we know which art to check out and most importantly, remember to check it out. Our memories are fickle so it’s a real shame when we find out we missed the chance to discover a great book, film, or band because we simply forgot to write it down somewhere. It goes without saying but I’ll say nonetheless – BFB can save your life – and that is a big deal.

Think about it.

And now, go download the damn app! – HERE –

So why only focus on books, films, and bands?
I knew you were going to ask that because everyone asks us the same thing.
We have thought of adding people, places, wines, beers, etc.
Or simply letting people add whatever lists they want.

Well, here are three reasons:

1. Universal appeal: books, films, and bands are the most popular items discussed in everyday conversations.
Just do this experiment yourself. Next week pay attention to how many of your random conversations someone mentions one of those three things. In our experience, almost in every other conversation someone mentions one of them. Why? because they are great topics of conversation and because what we read, watch, and listen to are the main things that define our tastes and who we are.
Tell me what you read, watch, and listen and I’ll tell you who you are. Of course what you drink, eat, or drive can tell you a lot about a person too but we believe those conversations are not as universal. (Highway patrol: Sir, did you have anything to drink tonight? – Driver: Hola! thanks for asking. Check this app out, here is a neat list of everything I drunk tonight. You see, I was afraid I’d forget if one of you wanted to find out. Can I play with your pistol now?)

2. Best user experience: before expanding to other categories we want to ensure we provide the best possible experience for each of those three categories. You see, not all lists are equal.
The problem with most list apps is that they treat all categories the same.
But a book is not the same as a band, right? so why should their home look the same?
Think of BFB as a zoo (yes you can). Every list in BFB is a like an enclosure for a different animal.
The same way no one would think it would make sense forcing lions to live inside fish tanks, we believe a book is a different species than a movie, a band, wine, or recipe.
Therefore for them to be happy and flourish they should live in an enclosure specially designed for them. (Ok, I’m bad with analogies.. guess I need to read more books, do I hear BFB?)
For that reason you’ll notice that the detail page for the bands is completely different than that of movies of books.
We know we are far from getting there but our aim is to keep working until each item lives inside the best possible enclosure.

3. Start small: The last reason why we are focusing on just three categories is because we want to listen first to your feedback before we decide which one will be the next category. Also because we have limited resources and cannot afford to spend loads of money on designing custom experiences for each category. That also explains why BFB is Android-less.

Are you planning to ever make money with this app? or you are doing it in exchange of fame and love?
Three times YES. All we care about now is growth (did you download the app?). We know if many people use our app we will get attention financially, psychologically and who knows, may be even sexually (Personally I’d be happy with a tap on the back – Son, nice try. Now go back to whatever is that you did.. ah, you did mushrooms? I should’ve known. Now everything makes sense..)

Why does the app look so plain, grey, boring, and amateurish?
Because we are poor and could only afford a rookie to play with Photoshop.
(BTW the rookie was me. No offence taken but you are mean, very mean)

You convinced me. I’ll ditch my Samsung and buy an iPhone just to get BFB. But you better make this app worth my time. Talking about time. What are your plans for BFB in the future.. times?
Thanks my dear homosapien fellow. Welcome to the exclusive club of iPhone owners that have downloaded BFB. We are now Best Friends Borever! Bhats your broblem bith that, brother?
The future. Well, it all depends on feedback, user traction, and funding.
Also known as the important FUF factor. So if BFB’s FUF factor is great then we plan to add these features:
– Store lists on the cloud
– Share lists with friends
– Create sub-lists (under books you will be able to create collections by genre, purpose, to recommend to a special friend, etc)
– Recommend top books, films, and bands
– Follow users whose taste you trust
– Get notified when your favourite author, director, band releases a new book, movie, album.
– Enable in-app purchases. (You see book you like? click a button and buy it, boom!)
– Add new categories (tell us which ones would like to see)
– Whatever makes sense to add based on feedback.
Talking about feedback, how are you going to give any feedback if you haven’t tried the app yet?
Didn’t they teach you it’s not nice to judge an app before testing it?
Or was it don’t judge a book by its cover? or an app by its founders? I forgot. Maybe the next BFB category should be mottos.

Thanks for your time Miguel. I think you’re on to something here. Not sure what but in support I’ll give you a 5 star review on the App Store. Good luck!
Well, thanks! every 5 star review helps but what we are really looking for is suggestions for improvement. Negative feedback is fine too, we can take it. If it is too harsh I’ll just go cry on my mommy’s lap or better yet, I’ll check out an uplifting movie to watch on my shiny brand new BFB app!

Peace, love, cookies, and BFB’s

Grumo